Emirates introduces state-of-the-art A380 on UK services

11th November, 2008 – The acclaimed Emirates A380 is flying to and from London Heathrow from December 1, heralding a new era of air travel for the UK market.

Passengers travelling with Emirates will be able to experience Onboard Shower Spas and an Onboard Lounge when it introduces the superjumbo on its lunchtime non-stop service from Heathrow to its Dubai hub.

The aircraft will be operated in a three-class configuration with private suites in First Class, lie-flat beds in Business, along with next-generation seats in Economy.

Vic Sheppard, Emirates’ vice president UK & Ireland, says: “The A380 is the future of air travel and we’ve invested heavily in an unrivalled range of amenities on board. We’re delighted that we will now be offering this superb aircraft to passengers travelling with us from Heathrow.”

Spread over two levels, the whole of the upper deck is dedicated to Premium Class passengers. Towards the front, First Class passengers can relax in one of 14 flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites. These incorporate remote-controlled doors, a work desk, an electrically controlled mini-bar and the most advanced in-flight entertainment system available to travellers.

The aircraft boasts two onboard Shower Spas – in the First Class cabins, which include heating flooring, leather seating and shower kits from Emirates’ premium spa brand, Timeless Spa.

Business Class passengers can enjoy a new generation of intelligent seating, designed to ensure all seats have aisle access. There's a cleverly designed table that never gets in the way, and a seat that slickly becomes a fully-flat bed. Passengers have ample laptop stowage when they want to switch from work to fun and enjoy the award winning ice entertainment system, which is available to all onboard.

First and Business Class passengers can also take advantage of the Onboard Lounge, located at the rear of the upper deck. The lounge is designed to make passengers feel like they are in their own executive club, and offers seating, and a bar with a wide range of beverages and canapés. Another First Class social area with drinks facilities is located at the front of the upper deck.

Passengers in Economy Class will notice the straight, rather than conventionally concave walls, throughout the cabin, giving the impression of increased spaciousness, enhanced by the more generous seats and wider aisles.

Emirates will operate an A380 configured with 489 seats on its Heathrow to Dubai service, a capacity increase of 40 per cent over the Boeing 777 currently being used.

The A380 being used by Emirates on its Heathrow - Dubai route is the third of 58 that the carrier ordered, making it by far the largest customer for the superjumbo. Its first two A380s were introduced on services between Dubai and New York in August and October. An Emirates’ A380 will serve Sydney and Auckland in February 2009.

Emirates A380s are powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, enabling the carrier to save 500,000 litres of fuel per aircraft per year over any other engine alternative currently available.

The aircraft offers a fuel burn of three litres per 100 passenger kilometres, better than most hybrid cars. It also comfortably meets the current EU Stage Three and proposed Stage Four noise level standards.

Passengers travelling to Heathrow by road had a foretaste of the aircraft’s arrival earlier this year when Emirates unveiled a model of the A380 on the roundabout at the entrance to the airport. The 45-tonne one-third scale model is the largest aircraft model in the world.